San Jose: Six cars catch fire at Santana Row parking lot

SAN JOSE -- Six vehicles in a Santana Row parking lot were damaged by flames this morning after a worker from the San Jose Water Company accidentally caused a brush fire, according to the San Jose Fire Department.

Just before 11:15 a.m., the worker was preparing to do some work on pipes located under bushes in the parking lot when he turned on a blow torch, San Jose fire Capt. Cleo Doss said. Flames from the blow torch caused bushes to catch fire, which then spread and damaged six vehicles parked in the lot located near Olsen Drive.

"Once he turned that on, it flashed on him and the shrubs caught on fire," Doss said.

Three of the vehicles -- a minivan, pick-up truck and a 2-door Toyota -- were totaled, Doss said. Also damaged were a minivan, Chrysler SUV and a 2-door Mazda.

The blaze did not threaten any buildings and was under control at 11:36 a.m.